Northallerton athlete Laurence took up para-swimming when he was 14 as part of his rehabilitation after suffering from an aggressive form of bone cancer.

In 2011, he visited Tees Rowing Club and decided to take up the sport under coach Greg Beswick. Laurence won the Home International Regatta in his first year of competition, then struck gold at both the British and European Indoor Rowing Championships in 2012 as well as the British National Championships.

Fittingly, Greg was first to welcome Laurence on his triumphant return to the club.

The pair embraced under an arch of oars, held up by members of the junior rowing team.

A crowd had gathered outside the club to see golden boy Laurence who received a red carpet reception and rapturous applause.

He told them: “I’m so happy to be back here.

“It’s been a whirlwind few months. I don’t get chance to come back very often and I’ve been looking forward to it for a while now.”

Caroline MacDonald, Laurence’s original training partner, was also there to congratulate her former team mate.

Greg described the pair as the “the most hardworking pararowers” he had ever trained.

Laurence spent two-and-a-half years waiting for a suitable partner to row with and Rowles certainly proved to be the right choice.

The 25-year-old made his international mixed double scull debut alongside his new partner only last year but they quickly established themselves as a formidable force, winning silver at last year’s World Championships.